How far is Alexandria, VA from Buena Vista, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Buena Vista, VA is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.3 miles (233.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Buena Vista.
-
1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
-
2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
-
4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
-
5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
-
6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
-
7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
-
12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Vienna, Front Royal
1.4 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 12 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
-
18
Keep slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Buena Vista
1617 ft · 40 sec
-
20
Continue on East Midland Trail
3 mi · 3 min · East Midland Trail
-
21
Continue on 29th Street
3092 ft · 40 sec · 29th Street
-
22
Take the exit right
92 m · 8 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Beech Avenue
2224 ft · 31 sec · Beech Avenue
-
24
Continue on Sycamore Avenue
147 m · 14 sec · Sycamore Avenue
-
25
Turn left onto West 21st Street
135 m · 20 sec · West 21st Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 21st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
109 mi · 01h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Alexandria and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km) and usually takes 03h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Woodstock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.6 miles from Alexandria and 98.7 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.3 miles (233.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 52 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.57 one way or $55.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Alexandria and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Buena Vista.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 145.36 mi (233.94 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buena Vista
Independent city in Virginia, United States
| Population | 6,402 |
| Coordinates | 37.7343000, -79.3539200 |
| Altitude | 255 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-79.35392, 37.7343)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.83 | $61.65 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.14 | $78.29 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.